County memorializes trail projects
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Two ambitious trail projects have been added to the Umatilla County Transportation plan. The Blue Mountain Region Trail, which includes Milton-Freewater, and the Umatilla River Trail concept from Umatilla to Echo are exciting to Commissioner Dan Dorran, who lives in Hermiston.
“I use the walking paths in Oxbow Park a lot,” he said. “When I’m in Milton-Freewater and use the offices there, I definitely take the time to use what paths are available over there.”
The Umatilla River Plan is a proposal to connect the cities of Umatilla, Hermiston, Stanfield, and Echo with the focus being the Umatilla River. It would utilize and link to existing trails and paths. It is still in the early stages of trail development. Participants in its creation include the county, the cities of Echo, Stanfield, Hermiston, and Umatilla, and the National Parks Service.
The Blue Mountain Region Trails Plan was developed by the Walla Walla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization with the support of the National Parks Service. That plan would utilize existing and proposed sidewalk paths, multi-use trails, paved paths, and unpaved trails that includes Milton-Freewater and portions of northeast Umatilla County.
Dorran said that making it a part of the county’s transportation system is important to the development of both trail systems.
“Once it’s memorialized, you have a lot more options on funding,” he said. “The project doesn’t go away. It’s on the shelf and can be pulled down as shovel-ready or design- ready at any time.”
